No one believes in sitting at one single place to connect with the world. Which is why most homes have WiFi network installed these days. But the same WiFi connectivity can become a frustrating struggle if you find yourself struggling with bad reception, slow speeds and/or any other problem.

Read Also: How to Set Up WiFi at Home : 5 Easy Steps

To boost your home WiFi, this article presents 10 great ways.

1. Get a new WiFi adapter to attach to your old laptop

You can invest in a WiFi adapter and use it to boost the connectivity when using an old laptop. Such an adapter will come with 802.11ac technology. You can plug the adapter in one of the USB ports available in your laptop.

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They might look bulky, but definitely increase the speed of wireless network you receive from your router. However, it is important that you choose a high-quality adapter with good AC capabilities.

For instance, AC1200 is considered the minimum required level. Anything below this won’t provide the speed you are looking for.

2. Invest in a router of 802.11ac category

An 802.11ac is also known as an AC category router in the market. If you have a router which belongs to N or G category, you definitely need an upgrade.

These categories are considered cheap as they don’t have the capacity to transfer the high-quality speed of the network to the connected devices. Your network gets faster and delivers maximum connectivity when you have an AC category router.

Of course, you will feel confused when purchasing a new router. Which is why you need to understand the basics in advance before making a decision.

Most of your home devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and others consist of AC wireless technology. So, you can feel free to pick a router in the category of 802.11ac.

All the future devices in the upcoming years will include the AC wireless tech only. So, switching your router would be a wise move.

When you get a new router, you get firmware updates that protect against various security issues. These security features are not upgraded usually in N or G types of routers.

The strength of the performance in 802.11ac comes in the form of its range and speed. You can get dual-band or even a tri-band router to get better device connection management. So, all devices get the best speeds.

3. Consider a system of WiFi mesh

If your WiFi performance is not reaching every corner of your big home, you can think about several solutions. First of all, you can try to include different access points in your home to cover area corner with wireless network.

You can use a WiFi extender to enhance the signal in certain areas. Find places where you can use Ethernet cables to create wired connections.

Beyond all that, very big homes can also consider using the system of WiFi mesh. This will be a one-step solution for all the WiFi performance issues you find in some areas of your home.

Mesh systems are designed for easy installation and provide controllability using a specific mobile application. They surely use some speed, but provide better performance by enhancing the range and the quality of connections. This way, you can sit anywhere in your big house and still get the best possible speeds.

4. Keep your router in an open area

No one feels thrilled about the design of a router. Which is why people usually put in a cupboard or hidden behind the curtains. But the placement of the router also decides the signal performance you receive.

So, a router in your TV cabinet might not send proper signals in every part of your home. The best location for a router is out in an open area. The area should be a flat surface such as a table.

Moreover, you can try to get it installed on a wall. There are router mounting brackets available in the market, which you can use to fulfill this purpose. If possible, try to place the two antennas perpendicular to each other.

5. Select a central area for router placement

You should also carefully choose a central area in your home to place the router. This will ensure complete coverage of the whole house. The signal comes out from the antennas of a router.

Then, it extends in all directions. So, if you place your router in one corner, you will be wasting one aspect of signal that comes out of it.

Read Also: How to Fix the Most Common WiFi Issues?

Mostly, people feel restricted to place a router in a corner due to the short-length of cables. But the problem is resolvable with Ethernet cables. You can ensure the central location of Wi-Fi with Ethernet cables.

You will need professionals’ help to have these cables in your behind the walls or above the ceiling. If not, you can also use cable clips to attach these cables to the walls.

6. Find a suitable wireless channel

If other families also use WiFi in your neighborhood, their access points and routers can interfere with yours. This can degrade the quality of signals.

The good news is that a wireless network can easily operate via different channels. You simply need to pick a channel that has the least possible interference.

Generally, your router knows the right channel and pick automatically. But you should take a look to ensure if it is causing the network issues. There are tools that help you analyze your Wi-Fi, which you can find online.

7. Secure your wireless network from hackers

WiFi security holds great importance to keep your wireless network performance top-notch. If hackers get a chance, they use your network and reduce the quality of internet speed you receive.

The most important part of securing your WiFi network is keeping the firmware updated. Your router comes with firmware security features. It is important that you keep it updated with the new features provided by the manufacturers.

To create WiFi passwords, you should utilize WPA2 encryption, as it is the latest technology. At the same time, you can’t keep using the default password and username. It is too obvious to guess and opens your network for hackers. You should customize the login details and keep it secure.

Whenever you are not using the connection, use the physical switch off button on the router to turn it off. Switch it on with your fingers to start the WPS for configuration. Also, if there are remote management features available in your router, disable them whenever not required.

8. Use simple tricks to increase WiFi range

The range of a wireless network is the area it covers when sending the signal. You can increase its capacity by some simple tricks. For this, you will need an old can of beer.

Carefully cut out the top part of the can to make it look like a glass. Then, you need to make a hole in the center of the bottom of the can. Make sure this hole is sharp and wide enough to go inside your router’s antenna.

Now, you need to cut the beer can vertically once, and cut from the circumference of the bottom, leaving a little portion attached to the bottom part.

Use your hands to open the can to shape it like a curved antenna. Then, put it on the antennas by crossing it through the bottom hole. This will give a boost to your wireless network range.

9. Invest in a WiFi extender

If you want some serious improvement in the wireless range department, an extender would be a wise move. The Wi-Fi extenders are also known as boosters and repeaters.

They catch the signal coming from the main router and redistribute with higher quality. The amplification of the signal improves the range of a wireless network in your home.

You can easily install an extender in the area where the signal is weak. The process of installation doesn’t take more than several minutes.

Modern-age extenders allow you to control them using online or mobile phone applications. You can also adjust the Wi-Fi settings with them according to your preference. This increases the performance and experience of using WiFi routers at home.

10. Take your router to new access points

Good quality routers allow you to quickly and easily change their location to new access points. The process of hardware disabling takes seconds, so you can decide the location with respect to different access points.

You can do this manually and allow all kinds of equipment, old or new, to receive the best connection performance.

Read Also: 6 Easy Steps to Set WiFi Password

Along with all the mentioned ways, you can also think about getting stronger antennas for your router. Also, try to manage some applications on your device that take a lot of bandwidth.

And if you find yourself struggling with a low-quality wireless network speed or range, reboot the router. This process will start the router again and might bring back the regular strength in the wireless network.

Hopefully, these tips will help you!

If you are choosing to install WiFi, then it may be a good idea to go with a mesh-based WiFi system since you are essentially looking to get your whole residence covered.

There are a few things that you may want to look out for, about whether the WiFi is as good as advertised and if you are indeed able to get connected from any part of your residence.

If you have opted for the older model, then chances are that you may hit a few WiFi dead spots in your residence/office.

But before you rush out to purchase another WiFi modem, you may want to go in for a range extender.

Read Also: How to Set Up WiFi At Home: 5 Easy Steps

Chances are that all you need is a range extender and with it, you should be able to get connected from any part of your residence.

Most of the range extenders are quite easy to set up, all you have to do is to name it, connect the same to your WiFi, give it a new name and give your WiFi a much-needed boost in the process.

Granted, that choosing one over the lot may be easier said than done, which is why we have tested and listed some of the top range extenders below, for your easy convenience.

1. Netgear AC1200 WiFi Range Extender EX6150

Netgear is indeed a well-known company and one that has indeed grown over the years; it has offered several digital products over the last few years, of which the Netgear AC 1200 happens to be one.

They have managed to show the world that they have still got it by showcasing Netgear AC 1200 to all but what makes this device popular is the fact that it is easy to set up and can be plugged into any electrical outlet.

With this device, you do not have to worry about anything as the installation is fairly simple; just follow the directions as listed with the device. The EX6150 is extremely easy to use, and with it, you should have reliable WiFi in your residence real soon.

2. D-Link WiFi Dual Band Range Extender DAP-1520

This WiFi range extender sticks out on account of its size and the fact that it comes packed with all the advanced functionality that you would ever need.

The DAP 1520 is extremely robust and quite tiny, so much so that it is actually inconspicuous – so much so, that it is almost invisible unless you are specifically looking for this range expander.

It comes with a simple design and lacks an Ethernet port for extending the range, and the antenna is inbuilt as well. And given its size, functionality, it certainly stands out as one of the best range extenders that your money can buy.

3. TP-Link RE350 AC1200 WiFi Range Extender

The WiFi range extender has been developed by a Chinese company and one that is slowly gaining recognition for all the right reasons.

Granted that you may be a bit leery of this product seeing how it has been built by a Chinese company but, it should provide you with the range you require.

Above all, it is priced reasonably and this may be the extender that you need, especially if you are strapped for cash.

It comes with an LED signal indicator on the front and installation is quite simple and easy, so much so that even a novice should not have much problem installing it.

4. Linksys RE6500 AC1200 Dual-Band Wireless Range Extender

On the outset, Linksys range expander seems a bit bulky and it certainly resembles a router, but that being said, it happens to be quite powerful.

The sturdy end of the design allows Linksys to come out with a range expander that includes four gigabit Ethernet ports, which should allow you to expand your current network to include other network devices with ease.

What’s more, this range expander also comes with an audio jack that you can connect to any sound system and stream digital music in real time. This device is indeed powerful and should help you stay connected, at all times.

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5. D-Link DAP-1320 Wireless N300 Range Extender

If you were looking for a cheap but effective solution for your WiFi problems, then this one may well do the trick. D-link’s DAP 1320 is all right when it comes to expanding your network range, but it is not that powerful as some of the other range expanders.

Moreover, it does not come with the required Ethernet ports either nor does it feature dual bands or 802.11AC. Despite all this, the device is quite popular as it is quite tiny, easy to handle and set up.

So, if you were looking for a cheap way to boost up your current network, then this range expander may well be your best bet.

6. Linksys Velop

Here’s another range expander from Linksys; this range expander consists of the wireless mesh network and makes the case for why you may want to try one as opposed to the rest.

It is small, effective and highly functional; the best part about this mesh network is that it is quite easy to handle and is quite similar to your phone settings, so you should be able to set it up easily.

With it, you should be able to access all the net you want, at high speeds.

7. Trendnet WiFi Everywhere Powerline 1200 AV2

This WiFi range expander is certainly powerful enough and features dual bands – 802.11n (up to 330 Mbps) and 802.11 ac(up to 866 Mbps).

What’s more, with this powerful range expander, you should be able to get connected from anywhere in your residence or office.

The Trendnet WiFi packs quite a punch and while it may not look that great, it is certainly functional and comes with its own WiFi.

In short, with this range expander, not only do you get a powerful range expander but a WiFi as well, in the process. Please note that at the moment, this product is available only in the US and UK markets.

8. Amped Wireless Athena-EX High Power AC2600 WiFi Range Extender (RE2600M)

The Amped Wireless Athena range expander is indeed powerful; it is sleek, small, highly functional and should definitely give your WiFi network the required boost.

It may be a tad pricey but happens to be one of the best, it also supports MU-MIMO data streaming, and delivers a powerful performance.

9. Amped Wireless Titan-EX High Power AC1900 WiFi Range Extender (RE1900A)

The Amped Wireless Titan range expander certainly stands out for all the right reasons. It is quite fast and moreover, it has already been tested for the same.

It comes with 5 wired ports but lacks any parental control. It also cost more than the competition but it is certainly worth it.

10. Netgear Nighthawk X4 AC2200 WiFi Range Extender (EX7300)

The Nighthawk range expander is certainly one of the fastest ones of the lot; it definitely packs quite a punch, and also happens to be one of the fastest plugin range expanders that you are bound to come across.

Incidentally, it also supports MU-MIMO format and yes, it may be a tad pricey bit but it is certainly worth it. What makes this range expander stand out is the fact that it comes loaded with all the advanced functionality that you would need.

What’s more, if you have been facing quite a few dead spots in your residence, then with this range expander, you should be able to install it without any hassle.

Read Also: How to Fix the Most Common WiFi Issues?

Conclusion

These are some of the best WiFi range expanders, and you can take your pick. Granted you may think that expanders are the same even though they all boost your WiFi network for the better.

But irrespective of which range expander you pick, it’s important to pony up as most of the range expanders are quite fast. It may cost a tad more than the others, but in the end, it should be worth it.

Just so you know, that while there are some expanders that are rather slow when compared to others. But comparatively, they are still as good as it gets, if not more.

Please make sure that you review all the details, check out the range expander online and check out some of the reviews left by other customers. This should provide you with a good idea as to whether the range expander is worth it or not.

And you may want to shortlist a few, depending on your current budget and what you are planning to use your internet.